Mangochi, February 17: The Mangochi First Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced Isaac ‘a Big’ Gamula Nkhoma to 11 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a six year old girl in the district.
The offence of defilement contravenes section 138 (1) of the penal code and attracts a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.
Presiding Magistrate Ronald M’bwana earlier heard that the incident happened in October last year in Monkey Bay when the convict took advantage of the absence of the little girls’ parents to sexually molest her.
Police prosecution witness, Liston Sabola told the court that Nkhoma went to the house of the girls’ mother to deliver some money as payment for some doughnuts.
But after noticing that the girl was alone, Sabola said Nkhoma enticed the minor to go with him to his house and whilst there ushered her into his bedroom.
“The accused is believed to have spent quite some hours with the child from 6PM to 10PM without releasing her, Your Worship.
“Parents of the little girl child mounted a hunt which led to her discovery following a tip – off,” Sabola narrated.
It was also learnt in court that the girl narrated the ordeal upon being released from the bondage. Medical results from Monkey Bay Community Hospital corroborated the girls’ assertions proving penetration had taken place.
The accused, Isaac ‘a Big’ Gamula Nkhoma pleaded guilty and admitted to the charge of defilement.
However, Nkhoma asked the court to exercise leniency when passing sentence claiming that he had committed the offence under the influence of alcohol and that the devil had also driven him into the act.
“May I request that you consider me when passing sentence because I look after some relations who look up to me for their school fees. You’ll also appreciate that I have lost my job due to my arrest,” he pleaded.
But passing sentence, Magistrate M’bwana said the convict deserved a meaningful punishment considering that cases of defilement were becoming rampant despite the court meting out stiff penalties to offenders.
“The court is failing to come to terms as to how a 40 year – old man can decide to have sex with a six year – old child who is almost his grandchild,” M’bwana lamented. “The abuse has left a very big psychological scar and the girls’ virginity destroyed prematurely,” observed M’bwana.
M’bwana then sentenced Nkhoma to 11 years IHL, a punishment he said, was meant to serve as a lesson to the convict and a deterrent to others hatching similar intentions.
Nkhoma, 40, hails from Kam’mwamba village in the area of Traditional Authority Simon in Neno.
